Kevin Hart is Backing Out of Hosting the 2019 Oscars Because of Anti-Gay Tweets

Kevin Hart was all set to host the 2019 Oscars – but then his past came back to haunt him.

In the age of social media, nothing you do can stay hidden for long, especially if you make a living being in the public eye. Once a series of homophobic tweets were unearthed, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences requested that Hart make a formal apology to atone for what he said. But Kevin Hart refused to do that.

Kevin Hart | Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Why did Kevin Hart refuse to apologize?

The Academy was willing to keep Kevin Hart as the host if he simply said sorry for any anti-gay sentiments on his Twitter. But instead, Hart made the following statement:

“I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year’s Oscar’s,” said Hart on Twitter. “This is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists. I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past.”

I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year's Oscar's….this is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists. I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past.

Hart had previously posted a video on Instagram explaining that the Academy called him and asked him to apologize, but he didn’t want to. He said, “I chose to pass. I passed on the apology.” Hart made this decision even though he knew it may force them to find another host. But now he made the choice on his own to back out of hosting.

What did Kevin Hart’s tweets say?

Since the homophobic tweets started trending, Hart has begun deleting them. Still, nothing on the internet is gone forever, even if you manage to erase it.

One tweet from 2011 said, “ Yo if my son comes home & try’s 2 play with my daughters doll house I’m going 2 break it over his head & say n my voice ‘stop that’s gay.”

Another tweet said someone looked like “a gay bill board for AIDS” and in another, he called someone a “FAT F-G.”

This is in addition to using plenty of anti-gay statements including calling people “homo,” “fat faced f-g”, “man bitch” and “f-g boy.” In response to someone calling him a terrible comedian, Hart responded by saying, “ I bet ur in a gay gang and u do drive by d— sucks.”

Kevin Hart | Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Does Kevin Hart hate gay people?

A Guardian article recalls this bit from his standup routine in 2010. Apparently, Kevin Hart said, “ One of my biggest fears is my son growing up and being gay. That’s a fear. Keep in mind, I’m not homophobic, I have nothing against gay people, be happy. Do what you want to do. But me, being a heterosexual male, if I can prevent my son from being gay, I will. Now with that being said, I don’t know if I handled my son’s first gay moment correctly. Every kid has a gay moment but when it happens, you’ve got to nip it in the bud!”

Still, some people aren’t convinced that Kevin Hart meant any harm by the comments, though they were horribly insensitive. There are rumors that Hart and his team are currently in talks with GLAAD and are planning to make amends for the things he offensive comments.